The Future of Corn: Adapting to a Changing Climate

TLDRCorn, a staple food globally, faces challenges due to climate change. Researchers are using innovative methods to find corn strains that can thrive in warmer temperatures. This video explores the impact of climate change on corn production and the efforts to ensure its future.

Key insights

🌽Corn is a staple food for many people around the world and accounts for a significant portion of calorie intake.

🌡️The climate crisis threatens global corn yields, with a potential reduction of 7% for every centigrade rise in temperature.

🔬Dr. Katie Murphy is using a high-throughput phenotyping facility to understand how different types of corn respond to future climate conditions.

🧬By identifying genes associated with resisting drought and heat, scientists hope to engineer corn crops that can survive in a changing climate.

🍲Food entrepreneurs like Deysi Serrano are using corn as the foundation of healthy and culturally significant cuisine.

Q&A

Why is corn important?

—Corn is not only a staple food for many people but also a major calorie provider globally.

How does climate change affect corn production?

—Climate change can reduce global corn yields, with a potential decrease of 7% for every centigrade rise in temperature.

What is Dr. Katie Murphy's research focus?

—Dr. Katie Murphy is studying how different types of corn respond to future climate conditions and identifying genes associated with drought and heat resistance.

What is the goal of genetic engineering in corn crops?

—The goal is to engineer corn crops that can survive in a changing climate by identifying and utilizing genes that confer resistance to drought and heat.

How are food entrepreneurs incorporating corn into their cuisine?

—Food entrepreneurs like Deysi Serrano are using corn as the foundation of healthy and culturally significant dishes, showcasing its versatility and importance.

Timestamped Summary

00:00Corn is a widely consumed staple food globally, but it faces challenges due to climate change.

04:00Dr. Katie Murphy is researching how different types of corn respond to future climate conditions.

06:52The high throughput phenotyping facility allows for the efficient analysis of corn plants.

08:52Corn plays a significant role in the culinary world, with food entrepreneurs like Deysi Serrano incorporating it into their cuisine.

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